This new year I have been continuing my trend of being really into audiobooks. Specifically, I like checking out both the audiobook and the paper copy of the book from my library so I can listen when that is most convient and reading when that suits me better.
So I am about to gush. . .
In January, I devoured the second book in Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust trilogy. It is called The Secret Commonwealth.
Just as an FYI, I wrote about listening to the first book in The Book of Dust triology La Belle Sauvage in September of 2019 on this blog, click here to read about it.
Let me tell you about all the things I loved about it.
First of all, both books that have been released thus far from The Book of Dust triology are read by Michael Sheen on the audiobook. He totally immerses himself in the characters. He is really a joy to listen to!
Secondly, if you enjoyed the Philip Pullman series, His Dark Materials, or you watched it on HBO, this new series has some of your favorite characters. Lyra Silvertongue is back in this second book of the series and she is 20 years old now and is a student at St. Sophia’s College in Oxford. She is grappling with the existential questions that many college students face.
Additionally, she and her daemon, Pantalaimon, find themselves at odds with eachother and sometimes are not talking. After Pantalaimon witnesses a murder, she finds herself on the lam.
The only person who can truly help her is the now Dr. Malcolm Polstead, the boy main character from La Belle Sauvage. Malcolm is the very person who saved her life when she was a baby.
After Pantalaimon leaves in the night after a fight, Lyra must go on the run, for people who have no daemon are shunned in their world. While Malcolm can offer the protection of Oakly Street, a secret government spy outfit to which he belongs, Oakly Street can offer only so much protection, especially after it is shut down by the government when more conservative powers come into office.
Intrigue, suspense, magic and wonder prevail in this well-paced book. I recommend reading first book in the triology, called La Belle Sauvage, before this one but I do think a reader could start with this title and figure out what is going on. Be prepared, there is a fair amount of violence and in this book.
Mr. Katie also listened to it in January and he liked it a lot as well. He pointed out that it is going to be hard to wait until the final book in the triology is to be releasaed. I am guessing it will come out in the fall of 2021 based on how Philip Pullman has released books in the past which is about two years apart.
I am also listening to the audiobook of Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein right now. Mr. Katie has always said it is his favorite book ever so I am giving it a try. Also the main character’s name is Michael Valentine Smith, so I think it is perfect for February.
What are you reading or listening to right now. Reply in the comments. And subscribe if you would like to see my blog posts in your e-mail.
